mostly mexican: new jersey restaurant roundup

Warm weather and sunshine calls for tacos. Guacamole, margaritas, and a laid-back vibe are key ingredients for summer dining. Head to a Mexican restaurant, add a warm summer evening, maybe a sunset. Sounds perfect, right? Unfortunately we’re in New Jersey. The taco trend fueling foodie Instagram feeds just hasn’t made it here. It’s unclear why — what’s not to love? They can range from simple to sublime, street food to gourmet.

So when summer rolls around and you crave a tray of pretty tacos all in a row, or the fun vibe of a Mexican restaurant, there aren’t a lot of options in northern New Jersey.

I’ve rounded up my working list for my local neighborhoods, each with something going for them — great food, great drinks, great vibe — and in some cases, all three. Mexican food is by definition casual and therefore almost always kid-friendly, so pack up the family and head out for your own dose of summer.

Favorite Mexican restaurant: Orale Mexican Kitchen

Jersey City

Orale has my vote for the best all-around Mexican. I love the separate Guacamole “menu” with a sampler option to try multiple flavors and add-ons. Orale is the offspring of a few folks from Rosa Mexicano, but the food has more unique and modern twists, like pulled duck tacos with blackberry crema. Excellent drinks and an extensive tequila menu make this a great spot for date night or dinner with friends. It’s not kid-friendly in my view, and it can be a bit out of the way, but worth the trip for a fun night out. book it on open table

Runner-up favorite Mexican restaurant: Abril Cocina

Maplewood

I love Abril Cocina’s modern taco options, guacamole with spice-dusted chips, and creative entrees. You can read my full review here. It’s more modern Mexican with Latin influence, but hits the spot perfectly when the craving strikes. Unfortunately if that craving strikes on a Saturday night, you may be out of luck, as the small space gets busy. When that happens, head to Folklore Artisanal Taco in West Orange. Abril Cocina is BYO.

Northern New Jersey Mexican Restaurant Roundup

Let’s walk through the best of the rest.

TaqueriaJersey City

Taqueria has a lot going for it — great vibe, full bar and delicious Sangria, and flavor-packed tacos. They make it easier to mix and match with single-taco offerings and smaller portion sizes of other Mexican favorites. The inside bar is filled with fun memorabilia, albeit in a typical dark bar atmosphere, but the outdoor space is bright, cheery, and perfect for relaxing on a summer evening. Taqueria is kid-friendly for lunch, but I’d let the adults have their fun later in the day.

photo by jenn kosar

Folklore Artisanal TacoWest Orange

A recent addition to the local Mexican scene, Folklore opened in 2016 when Sergio Capdevielle moved his part-time street taco business from Puebla, Mexico to West Orange. The menu draws from all over Mexico and features dishes not often seen this far north, so plan multiple visits to try them all. The family provides most of the service and it is exceptional. Save room for the churros, delicious with a BYO chocolate stout.

Casa MayaGillette

Casa Maya has my vote for authenticity, with a menu full of traditional dishes. The service is wonderful and the decor is fun, with gorgeous tile tables to catch your eye during your meal. Depending on where you are, it may be a little out of the way, but it makes my worth the trip list. Casa Maya is BYO.

photo by jenn kosar

Cactus CharlyMaplewood

Cactus Charly serves up both traditional Mexican fare and Americanized favorites with reasonably consistent quality. We love the fajitas, and the shrimp tacos burst with bright lime flavor. The chips and are always warm and fresh, and while the guacamole is a little bland, the salsa has just the right amount of heat. The service is pleasant but a little on the slow side, so if you’re with hungry little ones, be prepared. Cactus Charly is BYO.

Red CadillacUnion

There’s very little authentic Mexican food here, and there are passionate disagreements about the overall quality of the food. For me, it’s about the consistent quality dishes, the option for family friendly dining or margarita and music filled date night, and excellent service. Read my full review for favorite dishes and tips for enjoying the different moods of Red Cadillac.

photo by jenn kosar

Benji’s TaqueriaWest Orange

Benji’s is another traditional, authentic Mexican option in the area. The chips and guacamole are some of the best I’ve had, and Gary is still talking about the deep tomato flavor of the pico de gallo. The quality and quantity of the meat loading up the street tacos is exceptional, and the pastor is surprisingly complex in flavor for a simple dish. Benji’s is BYO.

TingaMillburn

Tinga may not be the best or most authentic Mexican food, but it is consistent, reliable, and operated by some of the best servers in town. The team at the Millburn location knows how to take care of hungry, tired kids, and put a smile on their face every time. If you want to eat well, stick to the “specials” menu introduced a few years ago [and always available despite the title]. I love the street tacos (carnitas, mahi-mahi, or tilapia), Joaquin’s roasted half chicken, and the Chile Relleno. Tinga is BYO, and a little inconsistent in their “mixers” offered for margaritas or sangria, so safe bet is to stick with beer or wine.

Looking for more New Jersey mexican options? NJ Monthly magazine just released their list of the top Mexican restaurants in the state. I know I agree with their favorites in my area, so I’m looking forward to trying the rest in my travels. What’s your favorite local Mexican or mexican-inspired restaurant? Drop us all a comment and share!

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